The Australian Women's National Team (the Qantas Matildas) have struggled to a 0-0 draw against Korea, in their first match of the 3-nations international women's soccer tournament against Japan and South Korea, played in Japan overnight.
In what coach Adrian Santrac described as a dour but tough opening match, the Qantas Matildas began the first half with signs of rustiness but finished the 90 minutes the stronger of the two teams, without finding the back of the net. Australia next face favourites Japan on Sunday 27 July to complete the two-match tournament.
"I was disappointed for the supporters, it was a low quality match, very physical and the game didn't show the true football qualities of either team. Korea are a very physical side and to their credit, stopped us from playing the way we'd like to play. Overall, I was disappointed with the quality of the first half from our girls, however it was the first game back for us after the (Oceania World Cup) qualifiers in April and it took us far too long to deal with the physical nature of the game, we just found it unsettling," said coach Adrian Santrac.
"In the second half the team responded very well, although still rusty in patches throughout this half, we were much more positive in our general play, we showed improvement and that we're heading in the right direction towards the Women's World Cup in September."
"I'm looking forward to Sunday's match against Japan, but it will be extremely difficult as Japan showed in their 5-0 demolition of Korea that they are a very good side, they're at a different level to where we are at this time in our preparation for the World Cup, and different to where Korea is too."
"The Japanese are certainly on top of their game at the moment, having just completed their qualifying tournament and play-off victory against Mexico. They showed in the first game that they are above Korea at the moment. We are looking forward to playing a team of this quality and again seeing if we are improving with each match," said Santrac.
One major disappointment for the Qantas Matildas is the injury to defender Thea Slatyer, who after coming on in the 60th minute, had to be replaced 5 minutes later.
"Thea sustained what appears to be a serious knee injury and is now in serious doubt for the World Cup tournament, we will need to conduct further testing. If she is ruled out this would be a major blow, and of course to her, and for the entire squad and staff," said Santrac.
On a slightly brighter note, veteran defender Sacha Wainwright recorded her 50th international cap for the Qantas Matildas and a special presentation was made to her before the match.